Everybody in the stadium watches as the ball curls into the top right corner.
For a moment, disbelief fills the air, then the away end erupts with cheers from the visiting fans.
"Goaaaaaaaaaaal! It's a goal! Unbelievable, sensational strike from the Nightmareeee, Savio Silva!" shouted Decent.
"Mhm," muttered Jaden, staring at the opposition celebrating.
"Absolutely top class finish, Decent. We've seen a few of those in this league. It's not even two minutes in, and already Skyland FC have scored," said Shakes.
"How will Senzo overcome this? What a let down to concede so early. Will he change tactics perhaps?" asked Decent.
"Damn, this is not looking good. What have I done?" thought Tau, watching from the VIP section.
"Fuck! What's the defence doing? Wake up, you idiots!" yelled Ramsey.
The goalkeeper, Captain Willies, calms the defence and warns Ramsey not to yell at his teammates.
After the celebrations, the game restarts. Kick off. The ball is sent to central defender Bob, who holds it for a while, inviting the press as his teammates advance forward.
Skyland FC sends four players to press. Bob launches the ball long, aiming for Nobles FC's Target forward, Jeremy Bolt, who stands at 6'4 taller than everyone on the pitch.
Jeremy controls the ball with his chest, lays it down, and shields it from two central defenders. Using his strength and body, he fights them off.
He then side passes to Ramsey, making a forward run near him on his left side.
Ramsey's first touch takes him past the two defenders struggling to contain Jeremy. Nobles FC's wingers sprint forward, escaping their markers. Ramsey is now one on one with the keeper, with options on both sides. The goalkeeper advances.
"Come on, that's it, we've got them! Now pass!" urged Jaden Senzo.
"Brilliant football, one on one with the goalkeeper. What's he going to do?" Decent asked
Nobles FC's fans cheer in anticipation.
"Come on, pass, please, please," thought Tau.
"This is fun. Time for me to do my magic. Ain't no way I'm passing to these losers. I'm the headliner, I'm the king," thought Ramsey as he dribbled past the goalkeeper to the right and shot.
The ball smashes against the left post and rebounds with force.
"Pass the ball, dammit!" yelled Jaden Senzo.
"What was he thinking? Terrible decision," said Decent.
"Sometimes you have to go for it, Decent," replied Shakes.
The rebound falls to Skyland FC's defensive midfielder, who quickly turns and sends a long ball to the left.
"Wait, a long pass forward! Quick transition! Nobles FC's defence is out of shape. Silva controls it, defenders chasing but can't catch him. He cuts inside, one on one with the goalkeeper!" Decent's voice booms from the commentary box. "Willies advances, goes down, trying to make himself big. Well he is big, but wait! Silva goes for the chip!"
"It's another goaaaaal!" shouted Shakes.
"Damn, I'm finished. I was stupid to think I could handle this job. What do I do now? Change tactics? Substitutions? Okay, okay, Jaden, stay calm. Keep your cool. I've been pretending to be calm and tough, but wait I got this, I am calm, panic only leads to mistakes. I'll have to come up with a plan at halftime," thought Jaden, his face tense, lost in deep thought.
The players' morale collapsed. The stadium atmosphere shifted, sadness consumed the home fans instead of fury.
"What's that, Decent? Looks like the Spanish genius, Manager Lopez, is passing a note to his captain," said Shakes.
"He hasn't been active in the dugout. We know when he does this, he's spotted a weakness and he'll exploit it," said Decent.
"The Spanish genius Lopez, unbeaten in the league so far, with five wins in his last five games," added Shakes.
After the note was handed over, all eyes turned to Lopez. Jaden looked too, wondering what Lopez was planning. When play resumed, Jaden realized, Skyland FC's shape had shifted.
As the half wore on, Skyland's pressing grew more aggressive, forcing Nobles FC into mistakes.
Savio Silva scored again, completing his hat trick, then assisted another. Every time Nobles FC tried to bypass the press with long balls, they were suffocated before finding Jeremy.
By the 30th minute, Skyland led 4–0. One more goal followed from their striker, making it 5–0 before halftime.
When the half time whistle blew, fans were devastated, too stunned to leave their seats.
Mr. Tau sat motionless, staring down at the pitch in deep thought.
In the locker room, Jaden stood at the board, out of ideas. Then his eyes fell on the young talent he had signed, Max. He began speaking, but no one listened until he raised his voice, announcing he was subbing out Ramsey for Max.
Shock rippled through the room. Instead of anger, the players felt relief, Ramsey was a problem. As good as he was, he never passed.
"Look, guys, I get it, we're down by six. It feels hopeless. But you have to go out there and give the fans something to cheer for. They paid money to see you, money they could've spent elsewhere. I hated the look on their faces as we walked down the tunnel. They don't deserve that. Go out there and put on a show. And Max, this is your chance, kid," said Jaden.
"Hhm, so I get to play, huh? Wasn't expecting this anytime soon," Max replied.
"You're subbing me out for this kid? Nah, this is bullshit! How dare you! Do you know who I am? This team is nothing without me! You know nothing, you're in over your head!" Ramsey shouted, throwing his water bottle.
"I'd be careful with what I say next…" Jaden warned, staring at Ramsey intensely.
Ramsey tried to confront Jaden, but teammates held him back.
"It's time for the second half, Shakes. The players are coming out of the tunnel. Is that all of Nobles FC's players? I don't see Ramsey. Is that the new signing, Max?" asked Decent.
"Ballsy move from Senzo. I think he's replaced Ramsey with the young Max," said Shakes.
"I don't think you're allowed to say that, Shakes, hah hah! Back to the topic: what is Manager Jaden Senzo thinking? Haven't they suffered enough?" asked Decent.
To be continued.